Furtastic Series Banner

Behold Cinderblock, the obese cat who's our new inspiration

The most relatable cat since Garfield?
 By 
Marcus Gilmer
 on 

Meet Cinderblock, a very large cat who went viral for channeling all of us in her show of annoyance at having to get on a treadmill.

Cinderblock is eight years old and currently resides at Northshore Veterinary Hospital in Bellingham, Wash. where she's been given, literally, a new life.

CNN reports that Cinderblock's previous owner couldn't care for the cat anymore due to health issues and brought the cat in to be euthanized.


You May Also Like

But Britta Kiffney, a vet at Northshore, said she "couldn't do it" and asked have Cinderblock given to her. And now Kiffney and other Northshore staff are working on getting the feline in better shape since, as Kiffney says, the cat is "morbidly obese."

Despite Cinderblock's earlier trepidations, a newer video shows Cinderblock getting rolling (figuratively) on the underwater treadmill.

In the description of the above video, Northshore explains why they're using this particular kind of treadmill.

Many people have wondered why Northshore is subjecting Cinder to the underwater treadmill. Cinder has arthritis in multiple joints and is carrying an extra 10 lb of body weight. The water provides a reduced weight-bearing environment that increases functional use of limbs without marked weight loading and resultant discomfort to joints. She's still in the process of becoming acclimated to this treadmill and the water level is lower than we would like just so she can become used to the process.”

Another video posted to Cinderblock's YouTube account shows the cat being, again, very relatable as she has to be lured out of bed with food. And another shows Cinderblock getting into the Halloween spirit.

That's a very good fat cat.

Be sure to bookmark Cinderblock's YouTube page for new videos to bring relatable joy to our otherwise meaningless lives.

Topics Animals

Mashable Image
Marcus Gilmer

Marcus Gilmer is Mashable's Assistant Real-Times News Editor on the West Coast, reporting on breaking news from his location in San Francisco. An Alabama native, Marcus earned his BA from Birmingham-Southern College and his MFA in Communications from the University of New Orleans. Marcus has previously worked for Chicagoist, The A.V. Club, the Chicago Sun-Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Mashable Potato

More from Furtastic

Recommended For You
We keep finding new Lego deals at Amazon's spring sale, like Tuxedo Cat and van Gogh's 'The Starry Night'
Lego "The Starry Night" box, Lego Tuxedo Cat box, and Lego Star Wars box arranged on colorful backdrop

We're finding new Lego deals in Amazon's Spring Sale — save on Tuxedo Cat and van Gogh's 'The Starry Night'
Lego "The Starry Night" box, Lego Tuxedo Cat box, and Lego Star Wars box arranged on colorful backdrop

The 10 best portable Bluetooth speakers take your music to-go
hand holding bose bluetooth speaker in front of cherry blossoms


Behold, the Lego x Crocs footwear collab that dreams are made of
young man wearing lego brick clogs in front of a newstand

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone


What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!